Egypt yet to make a decision on Salah Mohamed Salah

LIVERPOOL. — The Egyptian Football Association are yet to make a decision on the late release of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The club have requested to delay Salah’s departure in order for him to miss just two English Premier League games and ensure he’s available for crucial games against Leicester City and Chelsea.

They’re also hopeful of securing similar agreements with Senegal and Guinea’s associations for the late release of Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.

Aston Villa have already reached an agreement with the Zimbabwean FA for the late release of midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, while Liverpool continue to sweat over their stars.

FIFA regulations state players must arrive the Monday morning a week prior to the tournament starting – which means they’re set to leave after the Reds’ Boxing Day clash against Leeds United.

Osama Ismail, a spokesperson for the Egypt FA, says a decision is yet to be made on Salah.

“We already received the request. It is still under consideration, and no answer has been given yet,” he told Ahram Online.

Egypt national team director Wael Gomaa also told Ahram Online at the weekend that their coach Carlos Queiroz has not yet made a decision regarding Liverpool’s request.

Manager Jurgen Klopp admitted earlier this month that he’s ‘’hopeful’’ to have his star players available beyond Boxing Day.

“It’s not decided yet,” he said.

“I am an optimistic person, so I hope so, but it’s not written in stone and not completely in our hands.”

Should agreements be reached, the trio would only miss the visit of Brentford and an away trip to Crystal Palace, as well as a third round FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have struck a deal with the Zimbabwean Football Association which will see Nakamba remain at Villa Park over the festive period.

The midfielder was scheduled to join Zimbabwe’s pre-Africa Cup of Nations training camp from December 23 onwards — a fortnight before the tournament officially begins in Cameroon.

Nakamba has been a standout player for Steven Gerrard over the last four games and enjoyed another brilliant performance in the win over Leicester last weekend.

Wellington Mpandare, the Zimbabwe national teams’ general manager, has now explained of Villa’s request to keep Nakamba for the Boxing Day fixture against Chelsea and for the trips to Leeds and Brentford on December 28 and January 2 before allowing the 27-year-old to compete in AFCON, with Zimbabwe in action against Senegal on January 10.

Speaking to The Herald in Harare on Tuesday, Mpandare said: “Villa have written to us asking for special favours regarding the release of Nakamba. They requested that Nakamba remains with their team for their Premier League games and then they will release him on January 3rd. — Liverpool Echo.

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